Biography

Second-year cornerback who has seen valuable time at right CB while bringing elite athleticism, speed and length to the back end of the Lions defensive unit. Joined CB Rashean Mathis in 2014 season as one of the team’s starting CBs.

TRANSACTIONS

Drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft.

PRO Second-year cornerback who has seen valuable time at right CB while bringing elite athleticism, speed and length to the back end of the Lions defensive unit. Joined CB Rashean Mathis in 2014 season as one of the team’s starting CBs.

2014: Had a breakout season in only his second year in the League, finishing fifth on the team with 60 tackles (47 solo), two interception sand a team-leading 17 pass defenses. His 17 pass defenses tied for ninth in the entire NFL, and ranked second among all rookie and second-year players this season.

Recorded three tackles and defended three passes in Week 1 vs. New York Giants (9/8).

Registered five tackles (one on special teams), one interception and defended one pass in Week 15 vs. Minnesota (12/14).

Recorded four tackles and defended two passes in Week 16 at Chicago (12/21).

Had one tackle in Week 17 at Green Bay (12/28).

Defended one pass in the NFC Wild Card game at Dallas (1/4).

2013: Played in 13 games (four starts) in his rookie season, totaling 31 tackles (25 solo), six pass defenses and three special teams tackles.

Started in rookie debut for the Lions, recorded four solo tackles and one pass defense in Week 1 vs. Minnesota (9/8).

Started second consecutive game in Week 2 at Arizona (9/15).

Saw action on special teams in Week 3 at Washington (9/22).

Tied for second on the team in tackles with seven (six solo) and posted one pass defense in Week 4 vs. Chicago (9/29).

Saw action on special teams in Week 5 at Green Bay (10/6).

Recorded four tackles (two solo) and one special teams tackle in Week 6 at Cleveland (10/13).

Posted five tackles (four solo) in Week 7 vs. Cincinnati (10/20).

Registered one solo tackle and one special teams tackle in Week 8 vs. Dallas (10/27).

Posted two solo tackles in Week 10 at Chicago (11/10).

Assisted on a tackle in Week 11 at Pittsburgh (11/17).

Assisted on a tackle and assisted on a special teams tackle in Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay (11/24).

Started at left cornerback in place of injured CB Chris Houston in Week 13 vs. Green Bay (11/28) and posted two solo tackles and three pass defenses.

Had four solo tackles and one pass defense in Week 17 at Minnesota (12/29).

COLLEGEIn two seasons at Mississippi State, played in 26 games, starting 13 contests at cornerback. Finished his career as a Bulldog with 63 tackles (40 solo), including two tackles for loss, 10 pass defenses, six interceptions (173 yards and two touchdowns) and one fumble recovery

His two interceptions returned for scores are one shy of the school career-record of three that is shared by Johnthan Banks (2009-12), Derek Pegues (2005-2008) and Corey Broomfield (2009-Present).

Turned in the top performance among defensive backs in the 40-yard dash in the 2013 NFL Combine with a 4.36.

2012: Named an honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Weekly and received All-Southeastern Conference second-team accolades from the league’s coaches, Phil Steele and The NFL Draft Report.

Started all 13 games at cornerback, recording five interceptions and tying for seventh on the school season-record chart as he returned those interceptions for a total of 101 yards. Also finished the season with 40 tackles (24 solo) and six pass defenses.

In his first start as a Bulldog, picked off a pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown and blocked a kick vs. Jackson State.

Set up a touchdown drive after returning an interception 31 yards vs. Auburn.

Recorded six tackles at Kentucky.

Had four tackles for loss against Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU, respectively.

Intercepted Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson and returned it 15 yards.

2011: Joined Mississippi State program and saw action in all 13 games as a junior secondary reserve. Finished the season with 23 tackles (16 solo), four pass defenses and one interception.

Collected three tackles in his Bulldog debut at Memphis.

Played his best game of the season at Georgia, notching three tackles, one forced fumble and one interception return for a touchdown (72 yards). His interception return was the 10th-longest pick-six in school history.

Totaled six tackles and a pass break-up in the homecoming win vs. Tennessee-Martin.

Registered two tackles and two pass defenses in a win over rival Ole Miss.

PERSONALAttended Brunswick (Ga.) High School, where he was an All-State selection as both a defensive back and running back, earning defensive honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and offensive accolades from the Georgia Sports Writers Association as a senior.

Was an All-State honorable mention as a sophomore, rushing for 1,127 yards on 142 rushes with 13 touchdowns that season.

Also lettered in basketball and was a standout sprinter, competing in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Darius Slay is expecting to take a big step forward at cornerback from his rookie season with the Lions, and he sees no better environment to test his progress in than against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on Saturday night in one of the NFL’s most hyped preseason game of the year.

Mike Tirico’s formula for the Lions to win the NFC North and host a home playoff game includes a player and his position group stepping up, and for the entire team to get over a stumbling block that has tripped them up for almost a quarter century.